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Biomedical subjects

T T Noguchi

Publications and source records attributed to T T Noguchi.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Antemortem conversion of codeine to morphine in man.

Forty-five drug overdose cases involving codeine were investigated. Concentrations of codeine and morphine were determined in blood, bile, liver, kidney, and urine. Ratios of codeine to morphine values for each of these specimens were compared and evidence was developed that codeine was metabolized partially into morphine in the antemortem stage. Morphine concentration was less than that of codeine in blood, liver, kidney, and urine. However, bile analyses showed that the amount of morphine exceeded that of codeine, suggesting a more active demethylation activity in the hepatic system than in the blood and other tissues studied. Controlled-in-vitro studies showed that no codeine demethylation occurred in postmortem tissues during cold storage for a period as long as 30 days.

Bile↗

Unusual three-dimensional bite mark evidence in a homicide case.

A comparison has been made between bite marks observed on the nose of a female homicide victim and the configuration of the dental structures of a male suspect. The victim's bite marks showed a number of demonstrable characteristics which could be reproduced by models of the dentition of the suspect. Special peculiarities within and between individual teeth, together with the upper and lower jaw relationship, were demonstrably consistent with the bite mark patterns on the victim's nose. Detailed examination of the scientific evidence led the dental investigators to the conclusion that there was a positive match between the suspect's dentition and the bite mark on the decedent's nose. The dental investigation and subsequent dental testimony were prime factors leading to the defendant's conviction of manslaughter in the first case in California involving the major use of bite mark evidence.

Bites and Stings↗

Kinetics of heroin deacetylation in aqueous alkaline solution and in human serum and whole blood.

A kinetic study of heroin hydrolysis in alkaline aqueous solution at room temperature was conducted by a gas chromatographic method to measure the consecutive reactions of diacetylmorphine to monoacetylmorphine and of monoacetylmorphine to morphine. A first-order reaction was observed in both instances, and the rate for the deacetylation of heroin was greater than that of monoacetylmorphine. The rates of in vitro hydrolysis of diacetylmorphine in human whole blood and in serum were compared by the same method. Diacetylmorphine was hydrolyzed twice as rapidly in blood as in serum. While morphine was an end product of hydrolysis in the blood, it was absent in the serum.

Alkalies↗

Testing for drugs of abuse in meconium of newborn infants.

A reliable and sensitive screening procedure has been developed for drugs of abuse (amphetamines, cocaine metabolites, opiates, and phencyclidine [PCP]) in meconium from infants. The substances in meconium were extracted with chloroform-isopropanol (3:1) and screened by enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT). The lower detection limits of the EMIT for benzoylecgonine, d-methamphetamine, morphine, and PCP were 250 ng/g, 730 ng/g, 110 ng/g, and 100 ng/g, respectively. This method was applied to meconium from 50 infants born to mothers suspected of using the drugs of abuse during pregnancy. Of the 50, 12 were positive for benzoylecgonine, seven for opiates, and one for PCP. The presence of benzoylecgonine and PCP in meconium was confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and that of opiates by thin-layer chromatography. The routine analysis of meconium for drugs of abuse is recommended in cases where (A) urine can not be obtained or (B) urinalysis is negative for the substances despite a strong suspicion of maternal use of the substances during pregnancy.

Cocaine↗

A method for the separation and determination of neutral compounds in postmortem tissues.

A convenient method for the extraction of neutral drugs in necrotic tissues is described. The procedure includes the use of hot dilute acid for isolating neutrals from tissue extract residues and of internal standard to facilitate quantitative and recovery measurement of the drugs by gas chromatography. The recovery of seven neutral compounds from liver ranged from 47.0% to 89.3%. The limit of detection of these drugs were 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg.

Cadaver↗

Follow-up pathology of cranial computed tomography: pitfalls in clinical-radiological evaluation.

Interpretation of cranial computed tomography in five patients and angiography in one of these patients contributed significantly to primary clinical diagnoses and management; however, the diagnoses were incorrect. The lesions in the radiographic studies were correlated with classical clinical findings. Associated and generally unappreciated clinical or radiographic findings also were present and could have lead to reconsideration of at least some of the primary diagnoses. The unusual or unique presentations resulting in underdiagnosis or overdiagnosis lead to nonbeneficial or improper care. Cerebrovascular and infectious diseases found in most of these cases are recognized as common areas of diagnostic difficulty by previous and present follow-up pathological studies.

Adult↗

The frequency of deaths resulting from the use of drugs and chemicals in Los Angeles County.

A study of the frequency of deaths resulting from the use of drugs and chemicals in Los Angeles County in the period 1947--1980 indicated that there was a substantial increase in the number of such deaths in 1968/69. This trend continued until 1976/77 when the number of deaths decreased, and the declining trend continued until 1979/80. An additional study in the period 1974--1981, based on the analyses of 35 drugs in biological samples taken in autopsies, showed that those drugs were more often present in overdose cases of death than in drug-related cases of death where drugs were not directly responsible fo the occurrence of death. Ethanol and phencyclidine were, however, more frequently found in drug-related cases of death.

Adolescent↗